Cosell to Leave ABC-TV Sports

NEW YORK — Howard Cosell, the outspoken sports commentator audiences love to hate, has quit ABC television after 20 years.

The network announced that Cosell, 65, will continue to work on ABC’s radio network, where he began in 1953 with his show, “Speaking of Sports.” Roone Arledge, president of ABC News and Sports, said Cosell asked to forgo his remaining 1986 contract commitments with ABC. He had been scheduled to broadcast the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Tournament of Champions Tennis Classic in 1986.